Dugu Bo Was Just a Poor Sucker (Revised)

No matter who it was, Qian Renyue would drag them out sooner or later. How dare they keep tabs on her? They had better watch out, or she would go back to Spirit Hall and tell on them!

After a peaceful night's sleep, Zhu Zhuqing prepared breakfast for Qian Renyue when she got up that morning. The two ate as they traveled, and before long, they arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

They had left relatively early that day and happened to run into Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, who had been staying off campus these past few days.

"Yanzi! Lingling!" Qian Renyue waved, greeting them enthusiastically. Weaving through the crowd, she took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and ran toward Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan turned around and likewise opened her arms to welcome Qian Renyue.

"Morning, Yueyue."

Qian Renyue threw herself into Dugu Yan's arms. They hugged each other, and Qian Renyue nuzzled against Dugu Yan's clothes out of habit. Dugu Yan was about ten centimeters taller than her, so as they embraced, Qian Renyue rested against her shoulder.

"Morning, morning, morning, Yanzi!"

Qian Renyue spoke enthusiastically. Beside them, Ye Lingling and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat helpless.

For some reason, Qian Renyue was particularly fond of Dugu Yan and wanted to spend all day with her. Dugu Yan never grew annoyed, either, always coaxing her patiently. Their sisterly affection made Zhu Zhuqing especially envious.

If only I could have a big sister like that.

As the envy showed in her eyes, Ye Lingling, who stood beside her, could not help reaching out and giving her hand a gentle tug.

Feeling the warmth of her palm, Zhu Zhuqing froze briefly and instinctively looked at Ye Lingling. Ye Lingling smiled softly, and warmth filled Zhu Zhuqing's heart. The two quiet, reserved girls seemed to have found another version of themselves. In that moment, Zhu Zhuqing felt it was something truly precious.

Ye Lingling came from a great, established clan. The nine heart begonia martial soul was indeed unique in the world, but its shortcomings were also extremely obvious. Not only did its wielder have just one soul skill for life, but it was also passed down through a single line. As support-type soul masters, wielders of the nine heart begonia could only attach themselves to others. Otherwise, no matter how special their martial soul was, they could never establish themselves alone. For instance, they currently had the imperial family's support behind them.

"Oh, right, Yueyue, I have some good news for you today!" On the way to the classroom, Dugu Yan walked shoulder to shoulder with Qian Renyue, linking arms with her as she whispered in her ear, "Haven't you really wanted to meet my grandpa? I called him over today!"

"!!!"

"Really?!"

Already cheerful, Qian Renyue became even happier at the news. Her eyes widened slightly, delight danced across her brows, and she could not stop smiling. "I love you to death, Yanzi!"

"Mwah~"

With that, Qian Renyue planted a smacking kiss on Dugu Yan's cheek.

Dugu Yan smiled and furrowed her brows, reaching out to tap Qian Renyue's forehead with a helpless look. "You, honestly-"

For a moment, she did not know what else to say.

Shaking her head with a smile, Dugu Yan did not think much of it. She simply assumed Qian Renyue was still a child who wanted to compare grandpas.

Just a few days earlier, Qian Renyue had suddenly brought up Dugu Yan's grandpa and asked which of them was better-looking, Guang Ling or him. Dugu Yan had carefully considered it before saying Guang Ling was better-looking. For a moment, Qian Renyue had not known how to respond, so she said she did not believe her and insisted on meeting Dugu Bo. Helpless, Dugu Yan changed her answer and said Dugu Bo was better-looking. Who would have thought that would make Qian Renyue even more insistent? She declared that she simply had to behold Dugu Bo's splendor. Growing increasingly helpless, Dugu Yan finally gave in to Qian Renyue's persistent coaxing, wrote a letter, and had someone deliver it to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

After receiving Dugu Yan's letter, Dugu Bo had headed straight for Heaven Dou Royal Academy without a moment's delay. The grandfather and granddaughter had met just yesterday. Dugu Yan explained why she had summoned him and sang Qian Renyue's praises. Intrigued, Dugu Bo agreed to pick Dugu Yan up after school today and meet Qian Renyue while he was there.

The day's lessons soon ended. Starting today, Qian Renyue no longer needed extra training. In a cheerful mood, Meng Shenji even tossed her a bag of sunflower seeds. Qian Renyue caught it, thanked him, and happily followed Dugu Yan to meet Dugu Bo.

When school let out, students flocked toward the academy gates in groups. This was the busiest time at the gates every day.

"Grandpa!"

As soon as they stepped outside the gates, Dugu Yan spotted the conspicuous Green-Clad Monster in the crowd. She waved at him with a beaming smile, then turned around. "Yueyue, that man wearing the Jade-Green Armor is my grandpa. His name is Dugu Bo!"

"Oh, oh!" Qian Renyue looked in the direction Dugu Yan pointed. The man in the Jade-Green Armor was tall and thin, looking much like a javelin. His beard and hair were both dark green, and his eyes glittered like emeralds. His cheeks were deeply sunken, and the green hair on his head was a tangled mess. At the moment, he was smiling at Dugu Yan, which made him look less frightening.

Dugu Yan led Qian Renyue up to Dugu Bo. "Grandpa!"

"Ah! Grandpa's precious granddaughter!" Laughing heartily, Dugu Bo scooped Dugu Yan into his arms. She was the only family he had left now, and he doted on her endlessly. Even when Dugu Yan reached out to pluck his beard, he took it with a smile, utterly wrapped around his granddaughter's little finger.

"Oh, Grandpa! There are so many people here. Put me down!"

Dugu Yan was old enough to feel embarrassed in public. She was wearing a skirt, and she had to mind her appearance at least a little, so she could not help patting Dugu Bo's shoulder.

"Hahahaha!"

Dugu Bo threw his head back and laughed, but under Dugu Yan's complaints, he still set her down.

Only then did he look at Qian Renyue, who had followed behind Dugu Yan.

Qian Renyue bowed. "Greetings, Senior."

"Mm." Dugu Bo acknowledged her, standing with his hands behind his back. His smile faded, lending him an air of seriousness. "You're the wielder of the nine-petal immortal lotus martial soul Yanyan told me about?"

"Yes." Qian Renyue nodded. At this point, she still did not know how Dugu Yan had introduced her to Dugu Bo.

"I..." She had intended to introduce herself, but Dugu Bo waved a hand and interrupted her. "I already know the basics about you. Your name is Qian Renyue, correct?"

"Ah, yes." A little bewildered, Qian Renyue could not help stealing a glance at Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan gave her a reassuring look, then smiled at Dugu Bo. He coughed lightly and changed his attitude toward Qian Renyue as well. "Well... little Yueyue, I heard you're looking for a fifty-thousand-year-old Netherworld Flower Emperor. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's right!" Qian Renyue nodded repeatedly. She had never expected Dugu Yan to be so efficient. She had only mentioned it to her a few days ago, and Dugu Yan had already brought him over.

Sure enough, rather than putting on airs in front of this old poison master, I'm better off winning over his precious granddaughter directly.

Much less trouble.

Dugu Bo nodded to show he understood, then asked in some confusion, "But little girl, you're only at level thirty-something. What do you want with a fifty-thousand-year-old soul beast?"

"Well..." Qian Renyue hesitated for a moment. She could hardly say this was her divine trial.

Seeing this, Dugu Yan immediately spoke up to rescue her. "Oh, Grandpa, why do you need to ask so much? She must have her reasons for wanting to find one. Didn't you promise me you wouldn't ask too many questions?"

"All right, all right, I won't ask. I won't ask, okay?" Dugu Bo felt a tiny bit aggrieved. Why did his precious granddaughter always turn her elbow outward and side with someone else whenever this little Yueyue was involved?

With Dugu Yan coming to her rescue, Qian Renyue cast her a grateful look. Dugu Yan smiled faintly. If Dugu Bo had not been there, Qian Renyue would have gone over and kissed her.

"All right, leave this matter to me. Once your break starts, I'll come pick you up and take you to find that blasted thing. But there's one condition: you mustn't do anything reckless! A ten-year-old girl, a mere Soul Elder-why are you so determined to go play with a fifty-thousand-year-old soul beast..."

Dugu Bo muttered as he gave his warnings. If Dugu Yan had not been acting so mysterious, he would never have suddenly taken an interest in a ten-year-old child. Though, admittedly, anyone who heard about this would be curious enough to pry a little.

"Got it, got it! Thanks, Grandpa!" Dugu Yan ran over to Qian Renyue and linked arms with her. The two exchanged smiles. Dugu Yan's reply sounded particularly perfunctory, and hearing it, Dugu Bo suddenly felt abandoned!

His expression darkened. He had wanted to say something else, but Dugu Yan gave him no chance. Taking Qian Renyue with her, she turned around and waved. "Grandpa, thanks for the effort! I'm going shopping with Yueyue now!"

With that, they headed off without waiting for Dugu Bo's reply.

"..."

Watching the two girls walk away, Dugu Bo's face darkened. So he was just an errand runner, was he?